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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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177 results for: Immigration

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Image of Oral history interview with Laura Lee Kusaka, August 19, 2024
Videorecording

Oral history interview with Laura Lee Kusaka, August 19, 2024

Interview with Laura Lee Kusaka by the 2024 MOHAI Curator's Fellow Polly Yorioka about Kusaka's mother Massie "Yutani" Tomita, including her life in Seattle’s Japanese American community, the Yutani family’s immigration story, and life in Seattle before incarceration during the second World War. The interview is conducted by Yorioka in order to learn more about the Boys’ and Girls’ Day…
ID Number:2024.52.1
Date:2024
Image of Kinnear home on Queen Anne Hill, circa 1898
Photograph

Kinnear home on Queen Anne Hill, circa 1898

George Kinnear arrived in Seattle in 1878 and became active in various civic activities. He promoted road construction through Snoqualmie Pass, organized an immigration board, and was treasurer of a local power and railway company. In 1885, he moved into a large, new mansion the south slope of Queen Anne Hill.This photo, taken by Anders Wilse between 1897 and 1900,…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.42
Date:Circa 1898
Image of George Kinnear, Seattle, circa 1898
Photograph

George Kinnear, Seattle, circa 1898

George Kinnear arrived in Seattle in 1878 and became active in various civic activities. He promoted road construction through Snoqualmie Pass, organized an immigration board, and was treasurer of a local power and railway company. In 1885, he moved into a large, new mansion the south slope of Queen Anne Hill. This photo, taken around 1898, shows George Kinnear seated…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.243
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Community Chest brochure
Ephemera

Community Chest brochure "Neighborhood House," 1953

Neighborhood House, founded in 1906, was originally created to serve as a settlement house for new Jewish immigrants in order to help them "integrate into American life." It later expanded its services to include "people of all ages, all faiths, all races." Operating under the Red Feather Agency, the Neighborhood House was a "pioneer member of Community Chest" as well…
ID Number:MS.COLL.1444
Date:1953
Image of United States Immigration Station and Assay Office, Seattle, 1932
Photograph

United States Immigration Station and Assay Office, Seattle, 1932

The federal immigration station building opened in 1932 at on Airport Way South near Maynard Avenue South. In 2004, the US Department of Homeland Security opened a new facility in Tacoma, and closed immigration services at this location. Handwritten on image: U.S. Immigration.Handwritten on sleeve: U.S. Immigration Station - Seattle.Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph…
ID Number:PI20985
Date:1932
Image of INS detainees playing mah jong at Immigration Station, Seattle, November 15, 1938
Photograph

INS detainees playing mah jong at Immigration Station, Seattle, November 15, 1938

The United States Immigration Station and Assay Office was built for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1932, and served as the entry and exit point for immigrants arriving in Seattle. The bulk of the operation was dedicated to enforcing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which placed a moratorium on labor immigration for people of Chinese ethnicity. As such,…
ID Number:PI24516
Date:1938
Image of Naturalization ceremony at Woodland Park, Seattle, July 4, 1939
Photograph

Naturalization ceremony at Woodland Park, Seattle, July 4, 1939

Assembled in Woodland Park, a group of foreign-born residents of Seattle received citizenship papers as part of a Fourth of July ceremony arranged by Seattle Post No. 1 of the American Legion. John S. Robinson, associate justice of the State Supreme Court, gave the main address; a parade and elaborate nighttime fireworks show over Green Lake were also part of…
ID Number:PI24518
Date:1939
Image of Woman receiving citizenship at Woodland Park ceremony, Seattle, July 4, 1939
Photograph

Woman receiving citizenship at Woodland Park ceremony, Seattle, July 4, 1939

Assembled in Woodland Park, a group of foreign-born residents of Seattle received citizenship papers in a Fourth of July ceremony arranged by Seattle Post No. 1 of the American Legion. John S. Robinson, associate justices of the State Supreme Court gave the main address; a parade and elaborate nighttime fireworks show over Green Lake were also part of the "Americanization"…
ID Number:PI24519
Date:1939
Image of Group taking oath of citizenship, Seattle, September 23, 1940
Photograph

Group taking oath of citizenship, Seattle, September 23, 1940

On September 23, 1940, 207 individuals took their citizenship oaths in one of the largest naturalization classes that year. Oaths had not been administered for several weeks due to a law prohibiting immigrants from becoming citizens within 30 days of an election.In this image, a large group of people raise their right hands as the clerk of the court administers…
ID Number:PI24523
Date:1940
Image of Group taking oath of citizenship, Seattle, July 31, 1944
Photograph

Group taking oath of citizenship, Seattle, July 31, 1944

On July 31, 1944, 61 people took the oath of citizenship before Judge Lloyd L. Black at the U.S. District Court building in Seattle.This photo shows the naturalization ceremony in the courtroom, with the court clerk administering the oath as the new citizens raise their right hands. Handwritten on negative: Naturalization group 1944Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer…
ID Number:PI24525
Date:1944
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MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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